Diocesan synod at the end of second phase

The results of the diocesan synod documents drawn up by working groups which examined eight specific themes in intense detail are expected to be released at the beginning of next year, synod moderator Joe Galea Curmi said.

The synod, which started in September 1999, is at present at the end of its second phase, during which the eight themes are being discussed at length during the synod assembly.

The eight themes are culture, society and the Church; the vision of the Church; lay people; spreading the word of God; liturgy and sacraments; Christian outreach; marriage and the family; and young people and adolescents.

Fr Galea Curmi, together with pastoral secretary Charles Cordina, yesterday explained at a press conference what had been achieved in the past three years.

The third year focused on the meetings of the synod assembly which is made up of 260 people, the majority of whom are lay people. The assembly met 14 times this year.

Fr Galea Curmi explained that during the past year the different working groups also prepared pastoral documents on each theme.

These documents are being examined during the assembly and there are five more meetings left before everything is finalised, approved and passed on to the Archbishop.

"Once approved by the Archbishop, these documents will serve as a guide for the Church in its pastoral work," Fr Galea Curmi said.

In an attempt to keep the public informed on the ongoing work, a leaflet is being distributed in every household highlighting the challenges that lie ahead.

A video has also been produced which will be shown during meetings to be held in every parish in the coming weeks to generate a debate on how the synod's values can be translated into everyday life.

Another initiative was the setting up of a website which has been designed by Mr Joseph Borg and which gives step-by-step information and news on the synod's work.

Fr Cordina said several values were identified during the synod's work, among them the public's thirst for what the Christian life had to offer.

There was also a great accent on people's different needs in this day and age and the importance of solidarity with those who were suffering.

Both Fr Cordina and Fr Galea Curmi were aware of the fact that change would not happen overnight.

"We need to be patient and bring about the necessary change slowly. It needs the commitment of all of us," Fr Cordina said.

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